General Standards
Agreed and Acknowledged
Translators will translate only into their native
language(s).
A translator will only take on projects within his/her
area(s) of specialization.
Throughout the translation process, the translator will ask
questions about anything in the source text that may be unclear, ambiguous,
inconsistent or which may constitute an error. He/she will pose all questions
to ALT or the client in comprehensive batches or in one single document, not in
a one-by-one fashion.
Self-editing will include the following steps:
All files and parts of
files that are to have been translated must be checked for completeness.
A comparison of all source
and target files or documents must be made—either on screen or hard copy.
For large projects
containing multiple files, checklists of all deliverables must be used to
confirm that: (a) receipt of all source; (b) complete translation of all files
or parts of files that are to be translated ; (c) submission to ALT of the
correct deliverables.
In projects where the
number of target files must match the number of source files, lists of both
must be compared and checked.
Accuracy & Quality of Translation
Following the initial translation, the translator must
conduct a side-by-side reading of his/her translation compared to the source
document(s). This comparison must confirm that the intended meaning of the
source document(s) has been retained in the translation.
The translator must use spell-checker software for his/her
target language. ALT requires that all files be spell-checked prior to delivery
to ALT.
The translator must check his/her translation to confirm that
the grammar, orthography and syntax of the translation are consistent with and
adhere to the rules of acceptable usage of the target language/locale.
ALT requires that the translator use consistent tone and
style appropriate for the target language (and targeted locale(s)), the
document type, and the expectations of the target audience. The translator must
verify the use of consistent tone and style during his/her self-edit.
ALT requires that the translator maintain the basic
formatting of the source document in the target document. In the event that
formatting errors arise, the translator will report them to ALT immediately.
All measurements must be converted to metric units unless you
are instructed otherwise.
Currency conversions should not be performed unless you are
instructed to do so.
Numbers and dates will be correctly formatted according to
target locale conventions
File names must not be changed unless you are instructed to
do so.
